Chargers were so close to hitting a hook and ladder to beat Panthers (Video)

Justin Herbert was this close to winning his first NFL game, but a bad pitch gave the “W” to the Carolina Panthers.

This Sunday, Los Angeles Chargers rookie Justin Herbert was looking to secure his first ever win in the NFL, and he had a pretty favorable matchup against the 0-2 Carolina Panthers. The matchup was far from easy, as the game went down to the wire.

With 1:46 remaining in regulation, the Chargers received the ball down 21-16 to Carolina. Herbert led the Chargers down to Carolina’s 23-yard line, but had six seconds remaining on the game clock to score a touchdown. On the final play of the game, Herbert hit wide receiver Keenan Allen on a 14-yard pass, who immediately lateraled the ball off to running back Austin Ekeler. However, the pitch wasn’t accurate enough, as the Panthers recovered the ball to end the play. Upon looking at the replay, Ekeler would have scored a touchdown if he received a better pitch from Allen.

A hook and ladder gone to waste

Ekeler had a wide open field to potentially score the game-winning touchdown, but it was all for naught. Instead, the Panthers earn the victory and gave first-year head coach Matt Rhule his first career win.

While he didn’t help the Chargers win, Herbert did put up a good showing. The rookie out of Oregon completed 35-of-49 pass attempts for 330 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while tallying 15 rushing yards on three carries. Herbert’s favorite target was, unsurprisingly, Allen, as he hauled in 11-of-19 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown.

Herbert will look for his elusive first win of his career next week, as the Chargers travel to Tampa Bay to take on Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.